South Australian Current Acts

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1985 - SECT 3

3—Interpretation

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—

"animal" means a member of any species of the sub-phylum vertebrata except—

            (a)         a human being; or

            (b)         a fish,

and includes any prescribed animal;

"animal ethics committee" means—

            (a)         an animal ethics committee established under section 23; or

            (b)         a body approved by the Minister as an animal ethics committee under section 23A;

"animal welfare notice" means a notice given by an inspector under section 31B;

"animal welfare order" means an order of a court under section 32A;

"the Code" referred to in Part 4 means the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (National Health and Medical Research Council, CSIRO, Australian Agricultural Council) 2004, 7th edition, as amended from time to time;

"the Committee" means the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee established under this Act;

"electrical device" means any of the following devices designed for the purpose of confining or controlling an animal:

            (a)         an electrical prod or goad;

            (b)         a collar designed to impart an electric shock;

            (c)         an electroimmobiliser;

            (d)         any other electrical device prescribed by the regulations;

"electroimmobiliser" means an electrical device designed to temporarily immobilise an animal;

"harm" means any form of damage, pain, suffering or distress (including unconsciousness), whether arising from injury, disease or any other condition;

"inspector" means—

            (a)         a police officer; or

            (c)         a person holding an appointment as an inspector under Part 5;

"organised animal fight" means an event in which an animal is encouraged to fight with another animal;

"owner" includes—

            (a)         in relation to an animal, a person who has the custody and control of the animal; and

            (b)         in relation to real or personal property—a person entitled to possession of the property;

"premises" means any land, building or structure (including a moveable building or structure);

"rodeo" means a competition involving cattle or horses (or both) and featuring 1 or more rodeo events, but does not include a competition declared by the regulations not to be a rodeo;

"rodeo event" means any of the following events:

            (a)         saddle bronc riding;

            (b)         bareback bronc riding;

            (c)         bull riding;

            (d)         steer riding;

            (e)         roping or tying;

            (f)         team roping;

            (g)         steer wrestling;

            (h)         a prescribed event;

"serious harm" means—

            (a)         harm that endangers an animal's life; or

            (b)         harm that results in an animal being so severely injured, so diseased or in such physical condition that it would be cruel not to destroy the animal; or

            (c)         harm that consists of, or results in, serious and protracted impairment of a physical or mental function;

"the Society" means the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (South Australia) Incorporated;

"Tribunal" means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 ;

"vehicle" includes an aircraft, a vessel, a caravan, a trailer and anything attached to a vehicle;

"veterinary surgeon" means a person who is registered as a veterinary surgeon under the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 .